David Parmley
Contemporary Bluegrass
David Parmley is a California-raised guitarist and lead singer who began his career at 17 in his father Don Parmley's Bluegrass Cardinals, founded Continental Divide with Scott Vestal in the mid-1990s, and was elected to the IBMA Hall of Fame in 2025 as a founding member of the Cardinals.
- Born February 1, 1959 in White House, Tennessee; raised in Los Angeles, California.
- Son of bluegrass banjoist Don Parmley; began performing professionally at age 17 (1974) with his father in The Bluegrass Cardinals.
- Co-founded David Parmley, Scott Vestal & Continental Divide in 1994; the band won IBMA Emerging Artist of the Year in 1995.
- Won IBMA Recorded Event of the Year in 1991 and 1995.
- Took a health-related hiatus 2008–2010; briefly retired in 2012 and drove tour buses (including for Rascal Flatts) before returning to music in 2015.
- Founded current band David Parmley & Cardinal Tradition in 2015.
- In 2022 launched a Bluegrass Cardinals tribute project with Larry Stephenson and Randy Graham.
- Announced 2025 induction into the International Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame as a founding member of The Bluegrass Cardinals.
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David ParmleyPlayed on recording with David Parmley
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Del McCouryPlayed on recording with David Parmley
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Ronnie McCouryPlayed on recording with David Parmley